Ameera Ramzan has battled personal loss, freezing conditions and national emergency to do what she most loves doing - helping the people of her Manchester community.
Ameera runs Heaven's Angels, a food bank with a difference. She started it herself during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it's not linked to a big charity or a church.
It pops up on Fridays in different locations across Manchester, from church halls to the street. The people it helps learn through word of mouth and social media, don't need referrals, and there are no limits on how many times someone can visit.
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If there aren't enough donations from businesses and the public, Ameera supports it with her own money.
The idea is that no-one in crisis will be turned away - and it's inspired by Ameera's own story, and the 'priceless' smiles on the faces of the people she helps.
"The name Heaven's Angels comes from the memory of those who have lost loved ones who are no longer here," Ameera, who has received a number of community awards for her volunteer project, says. Ameera's mother, Susan Ann Hoyle, died in 2020, but her legacy is the work her daughter does to help others.
"I lost my mum two years ago and the next day I was out working in the food bank," Ameera says. "She would want me to carry on doing what she loved me doing. Her and Gorton made me the person I am today."
"My motivation for the foodbank was seeing my mum struggle everyday. I had a spell of bad luck when I was younger. I slept rough - I feel passionate about giving back."
At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic Ameera started dropping off food to NHS workers, before going on to set up the food bank.
She works on the project every night from 7pm to 11pm, juggling it with studying to become a magistrate.
Jordan, 22, is homeless. He said of Heaven's Angels: "It's one of the few food banks that I have used many times. The food bank needs to be known, its literally saving lives."
The food bank has been given £2,000 of funding from social landlord One Manchester. But it needs a permanent location, not only to boost the support they give people in need of food and clothes, but those in need of company.
"We hold many drop in sessions for those who struggling, isolated or lonely to come in, have a cup of tea and a normal chat," Ameera said. "The cost of living is causing the number of those with mental health problems to rise."
Heaven's Angels currently accepts donations of food and clothing and can be found on their Facebook group.
If you want too volunteer with Heaven's Angels, you can fill out a form on their website, and you can support their fundraising campaign here.
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